For some readers the Liturgical Calendar like the prefix "St." is scary and reminscent of the Inquisition, Clerical sex-scandals, and everything they hate about religion in general. However, in years past, more and more people with that initial gut reaction have been rethinking their own positions, and have warmed to words like "Lent" and "Advent". I remember first … [Read more...]
St. Irenaeus of Lyons
Today is the feast of St. Irenaeus of Lyons, one of the most important early Christian writers. He was an apologist for the faith and wrote a famous work called "Against Heresies". This lengthy work is very early and so many apologists of modern confession positions (Catholics & Protestants) use it to prove their own system. Just look at one section. In Book III, … [Read more...]
St. Cyril of Alexandria
Today Christ's Church commemorates the feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria, leaving many to ask: Who was St. Cyril? Where is Alexandria? Why do weird popish - baby dunking - Christians like Andrew celebrate him? Besides the obvious reason that he's slavishly devoted to men in robes, candles, and chants. Well: -St. Cyril expelled the Novationists from Alexandria. What's a … [Read more...]
Ash Wednesday Mishaps
So yesterday was one of the only 2 days our Latin rite Church makes us fast for. Perfectly good I thought, so I'll just eat 1 meal and not consume meat. I work in a deli, and occassionally we will slice an extra piece of meat and consume it. Extra care today! I thought. So I went all day fasting and I was amazed at how much weaker I was at work. I am also not buying any … [Read more...]
Candlemas
Today is the liturgical celebration of Candlemas / Presentation of Christ in the Temple. It is called candlemas after Simeon's phrase "light to the revelation of the Gentiles" describing Jesus and so people lit candles starting in the 11th century (allegedly, who knows when really) this tradition.In practice of my Latin I'll post the Vulgate and then my terrible … [Read more...]